Audio Video News

Time Warner Cable Tries New Moves

Mark Fleischmann  |  Nov 29, 2010

Time Warner Cable is trying out some new moves, adding to its selection of packages and offering a new service that lets customers watch programs as much as three days old without need for a conventional DVR.

The new packages aim at both big spenders and penny pinchers. Signature Home, a spiffed-up version of triple play, is being tested in New York City for $249/month and in Charlotte, NC for $179.99 (introductory). It includes:

  • A whole-house digital video recorder system including two networked HD DVR set-top boxes(able to record four HD programs simultaneously, and store 150 hours of HD content or 400 hours of standard definition programming)
  • Wideband high-speed data service (at speeds of 50Megabits per second)
  • Wireless home network with DOCSIS 3.0 modem with 802.11n wireless router included
  • A digital cable package with more than 180 channels, including HD and On Demand
  • Digital Phone service with home voicemail to e-mail, Caller ID on PCC and TV, Call Forwarding and unlimited nationwide calling See Multichannel News.

    At the other end of the spectrum, TV Essentials is positioned between the standard basic and broadcast basic packages, offering a limited selection of channels for $39.95 in NYC and $29.95 in Ohio. TWC presumably hopes it will appeal to "cord cutters" (folks who cancel their cable service in favor of internet-delivered video). According to The Wall Street Journal, "the offering is controversial because it breaks up the traditional cable channel bundle, excluding major networks that charge per-subscriber fees to cable and satellite operators for their content." However, despite recent struggles between the big four commercial broadcast networks and major cable operators, their channels are in the package.

    Here's the TV Essentials lineup:

  • Time Warner Cable’s Basic tier (including local channels from ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and PBS)
  • 12 of the top 20 Nielsen-rated cable channels, plus other channels
  • Representative channels from each major genre: news/information, sports, kids, music, lifestyle, shopping, and general entertainment
  • Two standard-definition digital cable set-top boxes, featuring an on-screen guide and Music Choice
  • Enhanced TV features including StartOverTM and LookBackTM (where available)
  • Access to the library of new release movies through Time Warner On Demand (paid VOD only; no free VOD) See press release.

    Meanwhile, TWC is also rolling out a new service called Look Back. Subscribers with digital video packages can watch programming within a window of up to three days back. They don't need a DVR, just a regular digital cable box and remote. Affected channels include 24 HD and 24 SD. The service is being launched in New York, New England, the Carolinas, Ohio, Wisconsin, and parts of Texas. See press release.

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